Absorbent woven article including radiopaque element woven therein and anchored at the ends thereof

Abstract

A woven absorbent article, useful in medical application, including at least one yarn-like radiopaque element extending along the length dimension and fully from one end to the opposite end of the absorbent article and having its opposite ends anchored to the absorbent article by means of multiple folds at each of the ends of the absorbent article. Preferably, the radiopaque element is incorporated into the woven article in the form of a warp yarn of the weave thereof. A method for the manufacture of the article is disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An absorbent article useful in medical applications comprising a length of web having first and second ends and a top surface, said web being woven of absorbent yarns,     at least one yarn-like radiopaque element having first and second opposite ends and being woven into said length of web and extending substantially fully between said first and second ends of said length of web, said radiopaque element including an elastomeric material impregnated with a material which is opaque to X-rays and having a coefficient of friction substantially less than the coefficient of friction of said absorbent yarns and being substantially more resistant to shrinkage in length than said absorbent yarns when said length of web is subjected to washing,     at least said first end of said length of web being folded inwardly of said length of web and in overlying relationship to said top surface of said web to define a first fold, said first end of said radiopaque element being folded inwardly with said first fold, said at least first fold being further folded inwardly of said length of web and in overlying relationship to said top surface of said web to define a second fold that includes said first fold therein, said first end of said radiopaque element contained within said first fold being folded inwardly with said second fold, whereby said first and second ends of said radiopaque element are mechanically captured and anchored within first and second folds such that upon washing of said length of web said radiopaque element is caused to assume a nonstraight geometry while being constrained by neighboring ones of said absorbent yarns to the general plane of said web.     
     
     
       2. The woven absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said yarn-like radiopaque element is incorporated into the weave of the article as a warp yarn. 
     
     
       3. The woven absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said yarn-like radiopaque element is essentially fully resistant to shrinkage when washed in water. 
     
     
       4. The woven absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said absorbent yarns assume a non-straight attitude when washed in water. 
     
     
       5. The woven absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said yarn-like radiopaque element is physically constrained to a geometry similar to the geometry of the warp yarns of the weave.